canguk
.224 member
Reged: 14/03/06
Posts: 16
Loc: The Great Northeast
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For an upcomming PG hunt that will include eland, zebra,gemsbok,and kudu as well as warthogs and springbuck I am debating which rifle and caliber to use. I have a Win Mdl 70 in both 300WSM and 338WM and was told to be prepare to take shots out to 200 yards. Anyone like to hazard an opinion on eithe ras I am not planning on taking both.
-------------------- IN GOD WE TRUST !!
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hoppdoc
.400 member
Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA
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I hunt elk annually with a 300 ultramag but shots are out to 400+ yds if shooting conditions are favorable.
For shots only to 200 yds I would take the 338 in a heartbeat as it hits harder and is a better close range elk round.
Bottom line--shoot what you shoot best!!
-------------------- An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.
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MRobinson
.275 member
Reged: 29/01/06
Posts: 66
Loc: New England
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Either one would be right for the job you have described.
I don't have a .300 magnum of any stripe, but I do have several standard thirty calibers and I would use any of those on the game you list (with appropriate premium bullets--minimum weight of 180 grains--and at appropriate maximum ranges--200-250 yards). So, IMHO, a .300 WSM, with its greater power and range, would therefore be even better.
But I also have a .338 Win. Mag. and it is my favorite African plains game rifle. I have great confidence in this caliber out to 300 yards, which is my self-imposed limit. It hits very hard and just flat out puts 'em down on the ground fast!
-------------------- Mike
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allenday
.333 member
Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318
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I've taken all of those animals with a 300 Win. Mag. with premium 180 gr. bullets on several safaris, and the results have always been superb. A 300 WSM should perform about as well.
This year I'm taking a 338 Win. Mag. to Zimbabwe for plainsgame, and based on what I've seen on elk over the last 26 years, I don't think I'll have anything to worry about.
The truth is, a good bullet -- WELL-PLACED -- from either one of these cartridges isn't exactly going to bounce off. Hit even an eland through the lungs with a good bullet from either one and said eland won't be long for this world.
If I were you, I'd take the rifle that you shoot best and have the most confidence in. Everyone has certain a cartridge that they have a special affinity for and see as sort of a personal trademark cartridge that they have the utmost faith in. If that happens to be, for you, either your 300 WSM or 338 Win., that's the rifle I'd take. Obviously, either one of them is good for 200 yds. and beyond, so that's the way I'd decide it.
I'd also base the decision on which rifle feeds and functions best, handles the best, etc. Those considerations are at least as important as the cartridge itself...........
AD
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BFaucett
.333 member
Reged: 13/01/04
Posts: 472
Loc: Houston, Texas
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In reply to:
For an upcomming PG hunt that will include eland, zebra,gemsbok,and kudu... and was told to be prepare to take shots out to 200 yards.
Allen stated it very well. My choice would be the .338 Win Mag with premium 250 gr bullets. IMHO, these are the types of animals (size, weight) that the .338 WM was made for.
-Bob F.
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luv2safari
.400 member
Reged: 09/11/03
Posts: 1413
Loc: United States
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I almost believe that Winchester had African PG in mind years ago when they introduced the 338.
-------------------- Hunt with Class and Classics
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EricD
.416 member
Reged: 27/02/04
Posts: 4636
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Your 338WM sounds pretty perfect to me. But both are fine, so go with whichever you shoot best with. Or like the most for that sake.
Erik
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bulldog563
.400 member
Reged: 21/10/05
Posts: 1153
Loc: California
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Ditto on the 338. It really is a great round.
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markhyoung
.224 member
Reged: 31/10/05
Posts: 49
Loc: Cody, WY, USA
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If I had to choose just one rifle for all African species thinner skinned than buffalo it would be the 338 WM. It has been my all time favorite caliber for over 20 years.
Mark
-------------------- Mark H. Young
ADAM CLEMENTS SAFARI TRACKERS INC.
WORLDWIDE BIG GAME, WINGSHOOTING AND PHOTO SAFARIS
www.safaritrackers.com
Office 1-307-587-6372
FAX 1-307-587-3385
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